Speculum



(No Model.)

G. R. POX.

SPEGULUM.

No. 596,399. Patented Dec: 28,1897.

WITNESSES Nrrnn STATES PATENT FFEiQhL enonen n. FOX, or PLAQUEMINE, LOUISIANA.

SPECULUM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 596,399, dated December'28, 1897.

Application filed May 7, 1897x Serial No; 635,576. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE E. FOX, a citizen of the United States, residing at Plaquemine, in the parish of Iberville and State of Louisiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Speculums; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My hivention relates to speculums, and more particularly an irrigating vaginal speculum; and it consists of certain novel constructions, combinations, and arrangements of parts, as will be hereinafter described and specifically claimed, whereby an instrument is produced all the parts of which can be conveniently taken apart and cleansed and rendered aseptic and again reassembled and an outlet secured in the instrument for fluids while being used and the patient inspected.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved speculum. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section through the lower blade. Fig. 3 represents a collection of the different component parts of the instrument, showing details of construction.

lily improved irrigating vaginal speculum comprises in its construction the following main parts: an upper blade A, a lower blade 13, a sliding fork O, a ratchet-bar D, and a screw E for holding the sliding fork O in position on the shank of the lower blade B. The upper blade A is somewhat similar in construction to those used in other forms of speculums, except that it is fenestrated at a and is provided with a slot a in its shank, through which the ratchet-bar D passes, and has its shank end a roughened or corrugated to form a thumb-rest and prevent the thumb of the operator slipping when manipulating the instrument. The lower blade 13 is formed with a hollow shank or handle Z), which is corrugated at its rear or lower end for the at tachment of a piece of rubbertubing F for conducting fluids therefrom. The lower blade 13 is made somewhat similar, but funnelshaped at Z1 for conducting the fluids into the hollow shank, and is also formed with a small ridge b to prevent the fluids flowing into the opening in the upper portion of said shank from escaping. Making the shank of the lower blade hollow and so shaping it to con duct the fluid into said hollow portion is very important, as it not only allows for the escape of the fluids while operating, but prevents the fluids from passing on to the hand or clothes of the operator.

IVhile it is not new to provide a syringe =with escape-vents for fluids, so far as I am aware I am the first to provide a speculum with an irrigating construction, the parts being adapted to be held open and subject to inspection while the irrigation is taking place. The outer surface of the lower blade B is flattened for the purpose of receiving the sliding fork O, and is provided on said surface at suitable points in its length with a small pin 11* and a longer threaded pin b the pins working in the slots 0 c of the fork O, the former pin, b serving to guide the fork in its longitudinal movement upon the lower blade and the latter pin being designed to receive a thumb-screw c for holding the fork G in any adjusted position on the lower blade, as shown in the drawings. I A ring 71 is secured on the under side of the lower blade B, into which a finger can be inserted while using the instrument. The fork 0 comprises a shank c and upwardly extending curved arms 0 the under side of the fork being flattened to rest and move smoothly upon the outer flattened surface of the lower blade 13. The shank of the fork is slotted, as at c" a, to receive the pins Z1 and b, and is also provided with a bar or pin 0 to receive the lower end of the ratchet-bar D, as will be hereinafter described. The upper blade A is pivoted between the curved arms 0 of the fork, the arms being perforated for that purpose, and the upper blade being provided 011 one side with a projection a to fit into one of the perforations of the sliding fork O, the said upper blade being held in place on its other side by means of a screw-pin pased throughs,

the other perforation in the upper blade. By this construction the upper blade can be readily disconnected from the sliding fork for the purpose of cleansing and as readily assembled again. The ratchet-bar D is formed at its lower end with an open eye cl, which fits around the pin or bar 0 and has its upper end passed through the slot a and is bar bein in close roximit Y to the rou hened thumb-piece. It will also be observed that when it is desired to separate the upper and lower blades vertically it can be readily accomplished by loosening the thumb-nut E and sliding the fork the proper distance and then again securing it in position by means of said thumb-screw, the sliding of the fork being facilitated by reason of a projection or ridge 0 against which the thumb rests in pushing up the fork.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. An irrigating-speculum having a blade provided with a tubular shank or stem hollow throughout its entire length and open at both ends, both of the open ends connecting directly with the hollow portion and forming a continuous passage for conducting fluids through the same away from the speculum, the shank or stem being adapted to be grasped by the hand of the operator for drawing down the parts of the patient and allowing the discharge to pass through the shank or stem and escape out the lower end of the stem while the speculum isin position within the patient, substantially as described.

2. A speculum comprising in its construction a lower blade provided with a hollow shank or stem open at both ends for conducting fluids through the stem away from the speculum while the speculum is in an adjusted position and the parts of the patient are being inspected, a fork longitudinally slidable on said lower blade, means for securing the fork to the lower blade at the desired adjusted position, and an upper blade pivoted to the outer end of the fork and means adapted to engage and hold the upper blade at the desired adjusted position, substantially as described.

3. A speculum comprising in its construction a lower blade, provided with a hollow shank or stem and a flaring funnel-shaped opening, a fork longitudinally slidable on the said lower blade, means for securing the fork to the lower blade at the desired adjusted position, and an upper blade pivoted to the outer end of the fork, and a ratchet-barconnected to the sliding fork and adapted to engage and hold the upper blade at the desired position, the construction and arrangement being such that the parts of a patient can be inspected and irrigated while the speculum is in place and in an adjusted position, substantially as described.

4, A speculum comprising in its construction a lower blade, provided with a hollow shank or stem for conducting fluids through the speculum while the speculum is in an adj usted position and the parts of the patient are being inspected, a rubber tube attached to the rear end of the said hollow stem,"af0rk longitudinally slidable on said lower blade, means for securing the fork to the lower blade at the desired adjusted position, and an upper blade pivoted to the outer end of the fork provided with a slot and a ratchet-barsecured at its lower end to the sliding fork and passing through the slot in the upper blade and adapted to engage and hold the same in an adjusted position, substantially as described.

5. An irrigating-speculum comprising in its construction a lower blade provided with a hollow shank or stem open at both ends for conducting fluids through the stem away from the speculum, an adjustable upper blade, and means for holding the upper blade in an adjusted position, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE R. FOX.

lVitnesses v SAMPSON BARBAY, ALEX. HEBERT. 

